Technology and your Children - God's Technology Review

http://headhearthand.org/

Have you noticed the whirlwind with which the current technology craze is a part? It seems like just yesterday when I was a child - in the 1960's and 1970's. Back then, the internet was unheard of and even television was largely monitored by our parents. We were all afraid of "Big Brother" watching us. Yeah, 1984 was written but hadn't arrived yet. Today, my dad uses the internet for e-mails and he watches John Wayne DVD's, but that's about it. My mom won't even look at a computer screen let alone touch a keyboard.

Today, the internet is everywhere. People are connected via the airwaves whether it be by computer, cell phone, or media player. Not long ago I went to lunch with someone who totally ignored me as she sent text messages from her Blackberry. I can't tell you how uncomfortable I was.

Not only do we have to worry about ourselves and the time we're wasting - and potential identity theft (among other things) - but we must be concerned about our children and grandchildren.

I believe that current media is a tool that can be used for God or Satan. In order to use it for the Lord, however, we need to be vigilant in setting guidelines and balance. Above all, we must be involved in it to some degree in order to better guide our children in their use.

HeadHeartHand Media has produced a film and study guide for that purpose. While watching God's Technology, I felt the strings in my heart pull a little. Perhaps they were strings in my conscience.

I have five children, three of them under 18 years old. All of them still live at home. The older four have Facebook accounts, as do I. I got my account when I realized that my kids were spending tons of time on that site. I was pretty shocked to see how many "friends" they had - a lot of them they had never met in real life and yet they were telling them pretty personal stuff. Talk about alarms going off.

God's Technology addresses social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and the like. They also talk about the internet in general. Dr. David Murray, Professor of Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, uses Biblical principles as he discusses the steps that we, as Christians, can use in establishing guidelines for using modern technology.

As I watched, I found myself agreeing with everything he said. You might as well. If you'd like to get a copy of the film and/or study guide, you can do so here. The DVD usually sells for $15, and the HD Download for $6.99. Churches ordering ten or more DVDs receive special pricing of $10 a DVD. You can get the study guide for free.

*I received a free copy of God's Technology for use in this review. I have expressed my own opinions of the film.*